“I don’t mind your stuff being all over our bedroom. And our bathroom. And the hallway leading from the staircase.” Trust me. Her shite is every-fucking-where. “I knew what I was getting into when I asked a high-maintenance lass like yourself to move in with me.”

Ellison giggles. “You did not. You knew zero about what it would be like living with me. And I can guarantee that whatever you’re thinking you’ve gotten yourself into with me ain’t even close to the reality of it.”

“Then why don’t you tell me?”

“I was thinking I would show you.” She grins and I’ve come to know in a short while that it’s a sure sign of mischief. “That is if you think you can handle it.”

“I promise I won’t be the one who can’t handle it.” I already know what kind of lover she likes and wants.

And I very much want to be the alpha she wants.

I pick Ellison up and throw her over my shoulder to carry her to the bed. Well, to the mattress on the floor.

I was planning to wait until bedtime to fuck her—after the work was done and everything was in place—but she’s made it impossible for me to wait another minute.

I toss her on the mattress and stand over her while I pull my T-shirt over my head and start working to get my jeans off. “I’m done waiting to have you.”

She smiles as her eyes survey my body. “I’ve been wondering what you look like underneath your shirt.”

“And?”

“I approve one hundred percent.”

“Take off your clothes, Mac. I want to watch you get naked.” My voice is stern. I’ll be the one in control. The one taking what I want. The one who’ll be completely unapologetic. Exactly what she said she wanted.

It’s November, that time of year where Scotland experiences more darkness than light. The sun is long gone, so the room is illuminated only by the soft lamp on the bedside table. It’s actually sort of perfect.

Ellison sits up and pulls her shirt over her head. Black and hot-pink lace covers what I already know is a beautiful pair of tits that fit my hands perfectly. And I can’t wait to get my hands on them again.

Her lovely breasts tumble out of her bra and she tosses it on the mattress before pushing her thumbs into the waistband of her yoga pants to drag them down her legs. A tiny black and hot-pink lace triangle barely covers the mound between her thighs.

She’s completely naked when she falls backward on the mattress, her feet apart and knees pressed together. Waiting. “No, Mac. You don’t get to close your legs on me. I want to see you. All. Of. You.” I put my palms together and then pull them apart to widen the space between my hands. “Spread them.”

She bites her bottom lip—an attempt to mask her grin—as her knees slowly fall apart. “Is this what you want to look at?”

My underwear is tight. My cock is straining hard against the fabric so I push them down and out of the way. “I think this is a sure sign I want to do more than look at it.”

Ellison grins. “Mmm. Someone’s eager.”

“You have no idea.”

I go to my knees and crawl over Ellison. “I’ve imagined us like this no less than a million times. I’ve seen it happen in my head over and over.”

Ellison brings my hand to her mouth to kiss my palm. “I’ve imagined us together too. I can’t tell you how many times.”

My mouth connects with hers and she opens wide to invite my tongue inside to play. Silky. Slippery. Seductive.I like this game very much.

A little taunting. A little tickling. A lot of teasing. This woman knows how a man likes to be kissed.

I drag my mouth away from her lips and kiss that spot below her ear before moving down the side of her neck. My hands similarly mimic the downward motion beginning at her ribcage and moving lower on her sides, waist, and hips.

She pushes her fingers into the top of my hair and arches her back when I move lower to suck her nipple into my mouth. A soft gasp/moan expels from her chest when my tongue licks the erect point.

I know she’s going to squirm so I grasp her bum hard and hold her in place as I move lower to kiss the top of her pubic bone. “Doc, this teasing . . . it’s torture.”

“Do you want my mouth on you?”

She lifts her hips and squirms. “Yesss. So badly.”

She jolts when my tongue darts out and licks the top of her slit. “Ohhh.”

I tickle her clit with my tongue and then lick once. Twice. Three times. “I love the way you taste. And smell.”

She rocks her hips in a back and forth motion against my mouth. Her body shudders and a moan is released when my tongue works her in a circular motion. “More?”

“Please. Feels so good.”

Pleasing Ellison. Hearing her moans. Licking her until she comes. I’m going to enjoy this.

Review

en·dure

verb

suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently.

remain in existence; last.

In order to become a member of the Fellowship, Ellison MacAllister needs to be claimed and the man who claims her must undergo a night of torture in order to prove his commitment to not only his mate but also the brotherhood.

For months, Ellison’s had to endure Jamie Breckenridge’s indifference when it comes to her and her feelings for him, but as her claiming draws close, Jamie’s silent suffering due to his feelings of inadequacy comes to light, proving Jamie’s love for Ellison but also proving his resolve to do what’s best for Ellison even if it means allowing her to be claimed by someone else.

Ellison and Jamie’s story is both maddening and mesmerizing; it’s clear from the start of Endurance that they’re meant to be together and that their feelings run deep enough to risk everything and weather the storm of what might happen due to the takeover of the Order. I wanted to both shake and hug Jamie for his tunnel vision when it came to Ellison’s safety and what’s best for her. I know that some of those ideas stem from his parents’ views of his contribution to the Fellowship as a servant rather than a leader, but Jamie is still a true alpha and he knows how to take care of his own and he would die to protect those he loves.

I never doubted that Ellison and Jamie would find a way to be together, but I knew it wouldn’t be easy to dissuade a man who thinks in black and white that Ellison’s safety wasn’t more important than the love between them.

The fact that Ellison is nothing like the Fellowship women is what makes her Jamie’s perfect mate; her willingness to go head to head with him and battle him with her words as well as her body is what forces Jamie to change his plans…to find a way to claim the woman he loves as well as maintain her safety and take care of his brothers when they’re injured.

It’s clear at the end of Endurance that the feud between the Fellowship and the Order is in transition, but what that truly means for both sides as well as the sacrifices that are being made remains unclear.

I love that the focus of Endurance was more about Ellison and Jamie finding a way to make things work between them more so than the drama going on with the Order. Jamie needed to work through his personal issues and not feel trapped into making a decision, so while I missed some of the action/suspense from Sin and Bleu’s story, the emphasis on what’s between Jamie and Ellison regardless of the risks works for who and what they are to each other and what readers wanted for them.

4 Poison Apples

About the Author

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

Representation: All questions regarding subsidiary rights for any of my books, inquiries regarding foreign translation and film rights should be directed to Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich.